--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The distinction between East and West is…" description: "\"The distinction between East and West is that the Western novel is very organized, it's very logical, there's a logical progression, there's a chronolo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/donald-richie-26818_books_the-distinction-between-east-and-west-is_2308388.jpg" --- # The distinction between East and West is that the Western… ![“The distinction between East and West is that the Western novel is very organized, it's very logical, there's a logical progression, there's a chronological progression, and there's a safety in that. Whereas if you look at Japanese film, it is made up of collage or bricolage, it is made up of…” quote by Donald Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/donald-richie-26818_books_the-distinction-between-east-and-west-is_2308388.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/donald-richie-26818_books_the-distinction-between-east-and-west-is_2308388.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/donald-richie-26818_books_the-distinction-between-east-and-west-is_2308388.jpg) > “The distinction between East and West is that the Western novel is very organized, it's very logical, there's a logical progression, there's a chronological progression, and there's a safety in that. Whereas if you look at Japanese film, it is made up of collage or bricolage, it is made up of lists, and suddenly when you stand back from the lists you begin to see the pattern of a life.” [Donald Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-richie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Western novels follow logical, chronological structures; Japanese films use collage, lists, revealing life patterns. **In simple terms:** Western stories are linear; Japanese films are fragmented. Key Takeaway Recognize different narrative styles. Themes culture storytelling structure Mood analytical curious Type comparative critical When to use this quote - film analysis - creative writing - cross‑cultural studies Key Concepts narrative theory comparative literature Questions to Reflect On - How does collage affect your perception of a story? - What can you learn from each style? A Different Perspective Linear narratives can miss deeper connections. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [East and west](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/east-and-west/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Progression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progression/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) ## Related quotes > [The novel's not organized like a screenplay. If you shot the novel, you'd have a twelve-hour movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-novel-s-not-organized-like-a-screenplay-if-you-shot-the-novel-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I had no plan to write a western novel, and when I realized it was happening, I was pretty surprised by it. 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One of the boys, obviously seeking to impress the girls, says that foreigners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-richie/late-going-home-i-pass-a-group-of-squatting-high-schoolers-one-of-the/) [Donald Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-richie/) > [“In the bath the attitude toward sex is representative. No people have it more firmly in place. They are a bit puritanical sometimes, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-richie/in-the-bath-the-attitude-toward-sex-is-representative-no-people-have/) [Donald Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-richie/) > [“Owen is utterly out of whatever closet he may once have been in. Is resident Concerned Gay Medical Personnel, or some such. 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